5Rhythms meets 5 Archetypes

Honouring the Path of the great Gabrielle Roth

“If you want to give birth to your true self, you are going to have to dig deep down into that body of yours and let your soul howl. Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith and trust that if you turn off your head, your feet will take you where you need to go.” Gabrielle Roth

For the last 13 years, every time my birthday rolls around, I tend to celebrate this woman's life more than my own. As I've mentioned in an earlier post, I didn't hear about Gabrielle Roth until I was midway through the dance facilitation course that I completed in 2012 when she passed away. My mentor spoke very highly of her and her work, so I decided to do my own research, and I started to notice that we have many things in common.

Our birthdays fall on the same day, we were both body workers, we were both gravitated to dance as children, and we both had very similar perspectives on the healing power of dance. Ever since learning more about Gabrielle Roth, I knew that I wanted to follow in her dancing footsteps in my own way. I came up with the 5 Archetypes a couple years later while living in my studio and creating a theme for each day from Monday to Friday. It wasn't until a little after that did I make the connection between the 5Rhythms and the 5 Archetypes, and every year on my birthday I remind myself of this connection. At some point in life, I would like to become a certified 5Rhythms instructor, but until then, I will fulfill my own mission with the 5 Archetypes.

Gabrielle Roth was a pioneering figure in the world of movement, dance, and consciousness. She is best known for creating the 5Rhythms, a dynamic movement practice that invites individuals to explore the transformative power of dance. Roth believed that dance was a pathway to unlocking deeper layers of the body, mind, and spirit, and her approach to dance transcended mere choreography, offering a spiritual practice rooted in self-expression and healing.

Below is a short clip of her facilitating her form of movement meditation:

Through the 5Rhythms, she empowered people to move beyond their emotional and mental barriers, helping them tap into their true essence. Her work emphasized the importance of freeing the body, clearing blocked energy, and connecting with the present moment. Roth's influence expanded globally, with thousands of people across the world practicing the 5Rhythms in workshops, classes, and retreats.

This next clip is of a certified 5 Rhythms instructor desribing the practice, and going through each Rhythm:

Her legacy is alive through the movement practice she created, which continues to inspire people to connect with themselves and others through dance. Gabrielle’s teachings highlight the fluid nature of life and the healing power of embracing the body’s inherent wisdom.

I asked my trusted AI Buddy what message Gabrielle Roth would give the world if she were alive today, and here is what he said:

"Dance your way through the chaos, for the body knows the way."

In a world that feels increasingly divided and overwhelmed by external forces—whether it’s social unrest, environmental crises, or personal turmoil—Gabrielle Roth would remind us that the body is the key to navigating these turbulent times. She would emphasize the importance of returning to the body, reconnecting with our senses, and allowing movement to guide us toward healing.

Her message would likely encourage people to get out of their heads and back into the flow of life. In moments of confusion or fear, she’d urge us to surrender to the rhythms of our bodies, to trust in the dance of life, and to allow the energy within us to clear and transform. Through movement, we can release stuck energy, heal wounds, and come into greater alignment with the present moment.

She would remind us that chaos is a natural part of the cycle of life—a place where transformation and growth occur. Rather than resisting the chaos, we are invited to dance with it, to trust that by embracing our emotions and allowing ourselves to move through them, we can find clarity and peace. She might say:

"The world is constantly shifting and changing. You cannot control it, but you can choose to embrace it with grace. The more we dance our truth, the more we create space for others to do the same."

In addition to encouraging individual healing, Roth would likely speak to the power of community and collective transformation. She'd emphasize that by connecting through movement and expression, we can form a global dance of unity, compassion, and shared purpose. The Tribe Member archetype, in particular, would resonate with her message, as she would encourage us to embrace our interconnectedness with others, to celebrate differences, and to come together as a collective force for good.

Finally, Gabrielle would stress the importance of self-compassion and creativity in times of uncertainty. She would remind us to be gentle with ourselves, recognizing that it’s okay to stumble, to feel lost, or to need time to heal. She would also urge us to tap into our creative potential, seeing art, movement, and expression as ways to reshape the world from within, using beauty as a force for positive change.

If Gabrielle Roth were with us today, I truly believe her message would be one of deep acceptance, radical self-expression, and empowered transformation through movement. She would challenge us to face the chaos of the world not with fear or resistance, but with a full embrace of our own bodies, our emotions, and our creative power.

Her teachings would be a balm in these trying times, encouraging everyone to move through the madness and come out on the other side more connected, more embodied, and more unified than before.

And so, as I look back on the year that just passed and look toward the year ahead, now more than ever, I am reminded of the strong resonance that I feel with this woman. My intention for this year is to commit to my practice now that I've refined it, share it with others, and find solace in community once again. My time in isolation had its place;I was gifted with the time to look back on my life and to reflect on what worked and what needs improvement, to say goodbye to one of my best companions, and to quietly work on the projects that I've procrastinated on for years. And now it's time to ease up on the ninja lifestyle and come out of hiding.

Happy birthday, Gabrielle Roth 💖🙏 Your impact has left an imprint on me since the day you transcended this lifetime. Thank you for paving the way for me and so many others, validating the healing power of our own bodies and movement. I hope the work I strive to share continues to honor and carry forward your vision.